Voigt open for Manila job

I have a lot of admiration in the basketball culture in the Philippines

WILL Voigt is open to coach Gilas Pilipinas in the future.

FOSHAN, China — Don’t be surprised if the coach who broke the hearts of Filipinos would end up working in the country.

Shortly after masterminding Angola’s 84-81 ambush of Gilas Pilipinas in the International Basketball Federation Basketball World Cup late Wednesday here, American coach Will Voigt declared his admiration to the country and expressed willingness to call the shots in the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) or even the national squad.

Voigt said he loves the Philippine brand of basketball, especially the fans who are so passionate in supporting their respective teams.

“They have a great basketball culture. The fans were tremendous. They fend off their energy and they fought us to the end,” he said following a hard-fought battle that went to overtime.

“I have a lot of admiration in the basketball culture in the Philippines.”

Voigt is no stranger to Philippine basketball.

He first came to Manila in 2009 and returned in 2017 to help his good friend — Ariel Vanguardia — in preparing Phoenix in the PBA Governor’s Cup.

Then recently, Vanguardia helped him apply for a consultancy job at TNT, but the KaTropa hired Mark Dickel of New Zealand, instead.

Now, he’s with Angola and made sure to make an impact by dominating the Filipinos in the most important battle in their lives.

But if Filipino basketball officials would give him a shot at coaching in the country, the American mentor said he would gladly take it.

“Who knows; I’m open to any offer,” said Voigt, who also powered Nigeria to the Afrobasket crown in 2016 to make it to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

I love the Philippines and I love basketball there so you’ll never know. Maybe there will be an opportunity for me down there.”